Koepka, McIlroy headline nominees for PGA Tour Player of the Year

Brooks Koepka, Rory McIlroy, Matt Kuchar, and Xander Schauffele were announced Wednesday as the nominees for the 2018-19 PGA Tour Player of the Year award.

Koepka's success in major championships makes him the favorite to receive the honor, formally known as the Jack Nicklaus Award, for the second straight year. He defended his title at the PGA Championship and finished no worse than T-4 in all four majors. Additionally, he won the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational and the CJ Cup in South Korea.

McIlroy also collected three titles during the most consistent season of his career. The Northern Irishman earned his first Players Championship victory in March, took down the Canadian Open by seven shots, and then claimed the FedEx Cup at the Tour Championship to end the campaign.

Kuchar won twice - the Mayakoba Classic and Sony Open - and added two runner-up results for his best season since 2013.

Schauffele was a two-time winner in 2018-19 as well, adding the WGC-HSBC Champions and the Sentry Tournament of Championship titles to his resume.

The PGA Tour Player of the Year award is voted on by the players, with an announcement of the winner coming after the polls close on Sept. 6.

Koepka already earned the PGA of America's Player of the Year award for the 2018-19 season, which is a separate honor.